Yachting News
BLUE SKIES FOR THE COOK ISLAND YACHT RACE !
Between lightning storms on both Saturday and Monday, a fleet of 11 crews who decided to go ahead were blessed with some ideal racing conditions on Sunday for Race 3 of our Coral Sea Pointscore Series, the Cook Island Yacht Race 2025/26. The Fleet was sent north for a windward start to a clearing mark, before kites were hoisted for the relatively straight-forward passage down passed the NSW border. SYC’s race control team did a great job to host our drone pilot and arrive just in time to lay the Cook Island Mark, with Aramex Shining Sea the first boat around, followed by Wedgetail, Touche42 and Black Diamond. The return leg was also relatively straight forward with next to no tacks required of the leading boats, making this year’s race a fast and close one on corrected time.
Congratulations to the following winners:
ORC OVERALL & IRC:
1st: Wedgetail – David Rose, corrected time on IRC of 04:35:21 and ORC 05:02:52
2nd: Touche42 – Greg Watson, corrected time on IRC of 04:37:07 and ORC 05:07:11
3rd: Aramex Shining Sea – Chris Noyes, corrected time on IRC of 04:38:34 and ORC 05:10:37
PHS:
1st: Alpha Tauri – Wayne Kirby
2nd: Touche42 – Greg Watson
3rd: Wedgetail – David Rose
For all the photos from on water and presentation, please visit the SYC Offshore & Twilight Facebook Group
SYC OFF THE BEACH TROPHY PRESENTATION 2024/25
Southport Yacht Club’s two OTB divisions; dinghies and catamarans, came together at Hollywell in October for a fantastic annual night of celebrating the achievements of our OTB sailors in the 2024/25 season. For all the photos from the evening please visit SYC’s OTB Dinghy or OTB Multihull Facebook Groups.
Special mentions to the following perpetual trophy winners for 2024/25!
- JUNIOR COMMODORE’S CHOICE AWARD: Jack McGuire
- GRASSROOTS OF SAILING – THE RON BLACKLER AWARD FOR IMPROVEMENT & ENCOURAGEMENT TO JUNIORS: Stuart Waters
- KINGAROY CUP – MOST IMPROVED DINGHY SAILOR: Lyla Greenwood
- SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD: Fintin Griffin
- OFF THE BEACH CATAMARANS MOST IMPROVED SKIPPER – THE LYON TROPHY: Matt Engwirda
- 2024/2025 KELLOND-KNIGHT FAMILY SHIELD – LEADING SKIPPER: Jack McGuire
UPCOMING SYC SPECIAL EVENTS
DATE CHANGE; …THE BASH IS NOW A CHRISTMAS EVENT!
SOLO TRANS-TASMAN CHALLENGE 2026
Entries now closed – 20 Contenders!
Entries now closed – 20 Contenders including 7 Australians!
The Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge, the only single-handed ocean yacht race in the Southern Hemisphere, will finish at Southport Yacht Club (SYC) in 2026. First held in 1970, the race has long been recognised as a unique test of seamanship, skill, and endurance. The 2026 edition will be the 16th running of the event. Traditionally raced from New Plymouth, New Zealand, to Mooloolaba, Australia, the course has been updated and will run from Opua, Bay of Islands, to Southport.
The Opua Cruising Club is the official Organising Authority for the event, with support from Southport Yacht Club. Commodore Terry Dunn of Opua Cruising Club described the Challenge as “a testament to seamanship and resilience” and highlighted its role in strengthening the maritime bond between New Zealand and Australia. Thirteen yachts have already confirmed for the 2026 race – five from New Zealand and four from Australia – ensuring a true trans-Tasman contest. Kiwi sailors have won the last two editions, while the most recent Australian victory was in 2010.
SYC Member Peter Elkington has entered the challenge with his boat Pacman.
For more information visit the website at https://www.solo-tasman.co.nz/
GCCM GOLD COAST MACKAY YACHT RACE 2026
EOI is now open for 2026. Indicate your intention to race now before the early bird, and help grow this race’s momentum across Australia.
SYC ACADEMY
Sailing at Oxenford – by Ashlea Kernahan
Our October Adult Learn to Sail course has wrapped up and our November course has now completely sold out, and we’re already taking registrations for December — so get in early if you’d like to join before the new year! https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/273245
We’ve also been welcoming a number of schools from across the Gold Coast to our Learn to Sail sessions at both Hollywell and Oxenford, and we’ve loved having them experience the joy of sailing with us.
Sailor of the Week – Ruby Hollier
This week we’re celebrating Ruby Hollier from our OutThere Fleet group! Ruby showed amazing enthusiasm and focus during her first weekend back on the water, handling gusty conditions with confidence and a smile. She’s been a wonderful teammate and a great example for other young sailors. Ruby started off sailing at our Oxenford facility in the Teens learn to sail group and was hooked from day 1. We are so happy to have her join us Fleet sailing at Hollywell. Fantastic effort, Ruby — keep it up!
Upcoming Course/sessions:
Adult learn to sail December: https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/273245
Adult learn to Sail November –
Sundays, November 2nd, 9th, 23rd
https://www.oxenfordwatersportscentre.com.au/events/273244
RACING RESULTS 2025/2026
SYC Special Events:
Club Division Results:
- Offshore Division Results
- Thursday Twilight Offshore Series Results
- Thursday Twilight Results
- Inshore Division Results
- Off the Beach Catamarans Division
- Off the Beach Dinghies Results